968 Dawson Dynasty (1/2)
Chapter 968 – Dawson Dynasty
Feng Qingyue left and appeared in the Shu Lands as the assistant to the Provincial Governor.
Pang Tong naturally remained in Shanhai City. He would work together with Jia Xu, Chen Gong, and the like to help Zhang Liang make a plan for the 5th year of Gaia.
This was the big task Ouyang Shuo gave the Administrative Mentor Court after he met Zhang Liang.
Based on the time, when Ouyang Shuo returned from his second voyage, it would already be the 5th year of Gaia. How would the Great Xia sail the new waves in the New Year? Ouyang Shuo needed this group of intelligent people to give their thoughts.
Ouyang Shuo was looking forward to what shocking ideas Zhang Liang could come up with.
After sending Feng Qingyue away, Ouyang Shuo tore the Emperor Rank talisman that Gaia gave him. A white light shone across, and a red-faced man with a white moustache appeared in the reading room.
”Greetings my king!” He bowed.
”System Notifications: Congratulations player Qiyue Wuyi for successfully recruiting Emperor Rank historical person Li Honggzhang.” Ouyang Shuo was stunned; he did not expect to recruit such a special talent.
Name: Li Hongzhang (Emperor Rank)
Dynasty: Qing Dynasty
Identity: Great Xia Civil Servant
Occupation: Civil Servant
Loyalty: 80
Command: 85
Force: 50
Intelligence: 75
Politics: 88
Specialty: All rounded (raises dynasty industrialization efficiency by 15%, raise dynasty administration efficiency by 25%, raises dynasty navy combat strength by 20%)
Evaluation: Famous minister at the end of the Qing Dynasty, founder of the Beiyang Navy. He was one of the main proponents for the self-strengthening movement. He was named as one of the four famous ministers of Zhongxin along with Ceng Guofan, Zhang Zhi Dong, and Zuo Zongtang.
Japanese prime minister Ito Hirobumi called him the only person in the Great Xing Dynasty that could compete with the best in the world. The west listed him as one of the top three people of the 19th century.
However, in recent Chinese history, he was deemed as an infamous country traitor. The few unfair trade agreements that China signed in recent history all came out from his hand. There were many people who wanted to beat Li Hongzhang up. They wished to send him down to hell and curse him to be unable to reincarnate.
Empress Cixi termed him as the person who brought back the fame and prosperity of China. Li Hongzhang himself felt that he was the stumping craftsman of the straw house that was Great Qing. When there was a big storm, even a craftsman could not save it from crashing.
One small story could let one see his personality.
It was said that during a sporting event, all the countries had their flags raised with their songs. When it was China's turn, only a yellow dragon flag rose up in silence.
The Great Qing Empire did not even have a national anthem, causing them to be mocked by the westerners.
At that moment, Li Hongzhang, who was over 70, stepped out. Although his steps were not stable, he was filled with energy. He walked under the yellow dragon flag, straightened his back as best as he could, opened up his throat, and started singing the song he sang since he was young - Anhui folk song Jasmine Flower.
The clamor instantly went silent, and only Li Hongzhang's voice could be heard. Once he finished, a thunderous applause broke out from all around at this fellow who went all out to protect the pride and honor of his nation.
If Li Hongzhang was born a hundred years earlier, he could not be a famous minister like Zhang Tingyu.
After recruiting Zhang Tingyu and Tian Wenjing, these two Qing Dynasty officials, Ouyang Shuo was looking forward to the four famous ministers of late Qing. If he could gather up the four of them, it would undoubtedly be a great legacy.
After greeting Li Hongzhang, Ouyang Shuo was thinking about how to settle his appointment. He was an all rounded talent, military, administrative, diplomacy, and more. Furthermore, his ideals were far sighted, and his thinking was really modern.
Along with the dynasty industrialization getting on the right path and voyage trading becoming more and more prosperous, amongst the officials and generals in the dynasty, a new way of thinking was hitting at their old ideals.
Li Hongzhang's arrival could help lead this new wave of ideas. Even Ouyang Shuo could not force it upon them. He could not change their traditional thinking in one go.
The thinking and ideals of the late Qing self-strengthening movement was the best transition.
Thinking about it, Ouyang Shuo decided to appoint him as the navy minister. His main goal was to build a Great Xia Navy Academy in Beihai City.
Since the navy was formed, they did not have a proper academy to develop navy talents.
And to build a navy academy that was close to the modern ones, Li Hongzhang was undoubtedly a suitable choice. Ouyang Shuo directly used one million gold to build the academy.
Li Hongzhang happily accepted his appointment.
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Just as Ouyang Shuo was meeting Li Hongzhang, a System Notification suddenly sounded out.
”World Notification: Congratulations America Region Lord Jack Dawson for establishing the Dawson Dynasty, becoming the second player in the world to become a king, awarded 120 thousand merit points, 250 thousand reputation points, hidden building Statue of Liberty, and one special reward!”
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